I have read Creating Not So Big House as well as the earlier book from cover to cover, but I still don't completely understand what makes one house more expensive than another? For example, which of these plans is more expensive to build: The Essence of Home or Elegant Simplicity? I would think Essence of Home would be less expensive because it keeps bathrooms to a minimum, but then it has many bump outs for beautiful alcoves. On the other hand, Elegant Simplicity has more square footage on lst floor and three bathrooms.

Hi We like the Elegant Simplicity. Expect to build 2005. Mennonite Builder quoted us $95/ft2.
Plus basement. We hope to keep it under $200k Wish I knew where we could visit an existing one
Good luck

has anyone built elegant simplicity can it be a well insulated 4 season home in NH? thanks joe

Joe, we built Elegant Simplicity in the mountins of North Carolina. I am not too familiar with average temperatures in NH, but for our area the house has performed great. There are some things that you can do to maximize energy efficiency especially if you plan for them and avoid downstream changes.

It is hard to fully appreciate the effects of different ceiling heights in the house and the window/door spaces that tend to blur the sense outside/inside. Would be bulid this house again: absolutely.

Randy, I am considering building the Elegant Simplicity plan in the Chattanooga area. Is it possible to build the house and stay under $100/SF? Did you all do a basement or crawl space foundation? Do you have any photos of the house, since this website only shows the one?

Thanks

Ryan,
We were able to keep the house under $!00 sq.ft by having the house framed, subcontracting the site prep, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and masonry work and then doing the rest of the work ourselves. The house has a crawl space. Sidewall shingling has been a challenge and is not work for the impatient. We do not have any digital images of the house. If you do build the house, spend enough time to be sure that you have it oriented in a fashion that works for you. The back of the house might work better as the front exposure. Hope this is of some help.
Randy

Jane,

The main contributors to construction cost are
1 - overall size, including porches, decks, garages and unfinished "future" spaces, as well as finished living area.
2 - the type and complexity of that space.

A plan with more "footprint" (large first floor, small second floor) will cost more than the same amount of square feet balanced over both floors.

A steep roof costs more than a lower pitch (OSHA rules & practical issues)

More dormers, corners, bumps and grinds increase the cost.

More high-ticket space (kitchen, bath, built-ins) costs more.

Here's some numbers I use to get clients here started (Greater Boston area) - assumes using a regular General Contractor, no owner sweat equity. Keep in mind that these are starting points. You may hear stories of people building for less, but remember that pride makes people fudge a bit, and that your cousin or your friend may not have really added everything up. These starting numbers also don't include the kind of built-ins and interior work that most people looking at this site are attracted to.

Regular old two story construction - $150-165/sf (for each floor). It's not unusual for a not-so-big house, with the built-ins and interior design you see in the books, to run more like $250/sf or more.
Cathedral ceiling and single floor - $190/sf
Porches - $75/sf
Unfinished "future" space - $75/sf
Decks - $40/sf
Garage - add about $25,000 for a 24x24 "normal" two car. Don't forget that the "bonus" space above is not free - or dormers, or an elaborate roof...
More than the usual windows - add $350 each for average windows, visit your window dealer...
Master Baths and Kitchens can very wildly with the design. Visit some cabinet dealers, talk to your builder...
Built-ins and upgraded interior trim - talk to a builder, finished carpenter or cabinet-maker.
I would also add to the basic number for upgraded staircases, more than one staircase, very elaborate roof design.
A deep footprint also adds cost (30 feet at the smallest dimension costs more than 26 feet at the smallest dimension, for the same total square feet).
I've found that the only way to really know is to choose your builder and work with him or her to price a design as you go. But, I know it's hard to know where to start. I hope this helps.